Emulated radio frequency identification

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication device is equipped with hardware and/or software components to enable the device to output a data in a form of a radio frequency signal, emulating outputting of the data by either an active or a passive RFID transponder. The data may be a security key or an identifier. Emulation of an active RFID transponder includes facilitating selection of the data and instruction to output by a user. Emulation of a passive RFID transponder includes detecting for proximal presence of a RFID reader. Either case, provision of the data to the mobile communication device may include provision of associated signal attribute(s).

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/560,262, filed Dec. 9, 2005 and entitled “Emulated Radio FrequencyIdentification,” which was the National Stage of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US04/18397, filed Jun. 10, 2004 and entitled“Emulated Radio Frequency Identification,” which itself claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/478,245, entitled “RadioFrequency Identification Using Mobile Communication Device” and filedJun. 13, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the fields of security, communication,and data processing. More specifically, the present invention is relatedto an emulated radio frequency data input method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It wasn't that long ago, even residents in medium size cities still feelsecured enough to leave their homes unlocked and/or their garages open.In general, one can access one's place of employment, including parkingfacilities as well as one's office without identification or accesskeys.

In the world of commerce, things were also simpler. One typically mayshop and consume goods and services, at relatively low prices, withouthaving to be affiliated with any programs or entities.

However, the world has become a lot more complex in recent years.Virtually, all properties of any value, premises, including one's home,have to be secured, even for relatively small towns and cities. One canhardly shop and consume any goods and services, without having signed upwith some promotional frequent “usage” programs or becoming affiliatedwith the commercial entities. The employment of affinity marketing hasreached a point even neighboring grocery chains employ them, and notjust airlines, hotels, or wholesale discount retailers.

As a result, it is not uncommon to find a person having to carry anumber of physical keys and access/identification cards/tags to gainaccess to secured premises, such as one's home, office, parking garage,and so forth. Additionally, the person is likely to carry a number ofremote security control devices, such as a key with remote control forgaining access to his/her vehicle, a garage door opener for gainingaccess to the person's garage at home, and so forth. The person is alsolikely to carry a number of affinity identification cards with memberidentifiers identifying the person as being affiliated with certainco-op or frequent patronage programs, such as wholesale discountretailers, airline or hotel frequent traveler program, and so forth,that entitle the person to certain benefits, such as discounts orrewards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments,but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichlike references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the present invention, in accordancewith one embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method view of the present invention, in accordancewith one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates the relevant hardware elements of the device of FIG.1 in further details, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates the transceiver of FIG. 3 in further details, inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIGS. 5 a-5 b illustrate the exploded views of two embodiments of themobile communication device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 c-5 d illustrate an exploded view of another embodiment of themobile communication device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 a-6 h illustrate a number of example screens of an end userinterface, suitable for use to practice the present invention, inaccordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the operational flow of the relevant aspects of thesoftware in support of the RFID feature of the present invention, inaccordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention includes an emulated RFID method,more specifically, an emulated RFID method, using a mobile communicationdevice, including the device itself, and certain hardware and/orsoftware embodied therein for the practice of the emulated RFID method.

In the following description, various aspects of the illustrativeembodiments of the present invention will be described. However,alternate embodiments may be practiced with only some or all aspects ofthe illustrative embodiments of the present invention. For purposes ofexplanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. However, alternate embodiments may be practiced without thespecific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted orsimplified in order not to obscure the essence of the illustrativeembodiments of the present invention.

Terminology

Parts of the description will be presented in data processing terms,such as data, selection, retrieval, generation, and so forth, consistentwith the manner commonly employed by those skilled in the art to conveythe substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As wellunderstood by those skilled in the art, these quantities take the formof electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, and otherwise manipulated through electricaland/or optical components of a processor and its subsystems.

Part of the descriptions will employ various abbreviations, includingbut are not limited to:

CDROM Compact Disc Read Only Memory DDRAM Dynamic Direct Random AccessMemory DVD Digital Versatile Disc EEPROM Electrically EraseableProgrammable Read-Only- Memory HTTP HyperText Transmission ProtocolSDRAM Static Direct Random Access Memory SMS Small Messaging Service

The term “number” as used in this application to describe a data,including both its usage in the specification and the claims, typicallyrefers to numeric data, as the word “number” is conventionally used inmathematics. However, in certain contexts, the “number” may also includealphabet or special characters, as the term is conventionally understoodby those skilled in the art in those contexts. For examples, a driver'slicense number, a passport number, an employee number, or a student IDnumber, as each of these terms is conventionally used, often includesone or more alphabets or special characters, even though they arereferred to as “numbers”. The term accordingly is to be given themeaning that is consistent with the context under which the term isused.

Section Headings, Order of Descriptions and Embodiments

Section headings are merely employed to improve readability, and theyare not to be construed to restrict or narrow the present invention.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete steps in turn,in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention,however, the order of description should not be construed as to implythat these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular,these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generallydoes not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. The terms“comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless thecontext dictates otherwise.

Overview

Refer now to FIG. 1, wherein a block diagram illustrating an overview ofthe present invention 100, in accordance with one embodiment, is shown.As illustrated, for the embodiment, mobile communication device 102 isequipped with hardware and/or software elements 104 to perform itsprimary function, which is to facilitate a user of device 102 to engagein communication with another user of another communication device (notshown). In various embodiments, the communication may be audio (such asphone calls), textual (such as messaging) and/or visual (such asairtexting using light sources). Additionally, for the embodiment,mobile communication device 102 is equipped with hardware and/orsoftware elements 106 to facilitate provision or transfer of akey/identifier in a form a radio frequency signal 110, which may be reade.g. by a radio frequency identifier (RFID) reader 120. In turn, theprovision of RFID 110 may be responded to by a system (not shown) withwhich RFID reader 120 is a part or coupled to.

As depicted in FIG. 1, blocks 104 and 106 “intersect” with one another.The “intersection” represents the fact that in preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, substantial portions of the hardware and/orsoftware elements employed to provide a RFID, are the same elementsemployed to facilitate the primary function of device 102, i.e. tofacilitate a user in communicating with another user of anothercommunication device.

In other words, illustrative embodiments of the present inventionadvantageously leverage on existing elements of mobile communicationdevice 102, and supplement them, to enable mobile communication device102 to be able to provide a RFID, emulating a RFID transponder, as wellas facilitating user communication.

As will be described in more detail below, in preferred embodiments,mobile communication device 102 is equipped to provide RFID, emulatingan active and/or a passive RFID transponder.

Further, RFID 110 may be any keys and/or identifiers, including but notlimited to security keys, such as garage door “keys”, exterior orinterior door keys, or identifiers, such as, employee numbers, driver'slicense numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers(optionally, including expiration dates), affinity program memberidentifiers, and so forth.

Continue to refer to FIG. 1, except for the present inventionincorporated therein, mobile communication device 102 represents a broadrange of mobile communication devices known in the art, including butare not limited to wireless mobile phones and personal digitalassistants equipped with communication capability.

The term “wireless mobile phone” as used herein, including thespecification and the claims, refers to the class of telephony devicesequipped to facilitate a user in communicating with another user ofanother communication device, notwithstanding the user's movement arounddifferent geographic areas, so long the wireless mobile phone is incontact with a base/service station of a wireless network serviceprovider. The term includes the analog as well as the digitalsubclasses. Communication may be voice and/or data, audio, textualand/or visual. The other user/communication device may be mobile or landline based.

RFID reader 120 represents a broad range of such devices known in theart or to be designed. Currently, most RFID readers 120 employproprietary formats/protocols. That is, RFID readers 120 of differentmanufacturers tend to employ different frequencies, amplitudes, and/orkeying schemes (which may be frequency shifting keying (FSK), amplitudeshifting keying (ASK) or phase shifting keying (PSK)).

Various embodiments of the methods of the present inventions, includingelements 106, in particular, added elements, will be described in turnbelow.

Method

FIG. 2 illustrates a method view of the present invention, in accordancewith one embodiment. As illustrated, device 102 is first provided withthe RFIDs, block 202. The RFIDs may be provided in any one of a numberof known or to be designed manners, including but are not limited to

-   -   manual entry, using a keypad of device 102,    -   read into device 102, from an access/identification card, using        a magnetic or optical card reader of device 102,    -   downloaded into device 102, from a coupled computing device,        through a serial/parallel port of device 102 or through a        network interface of device 102 using SMS or HTTP messages.

Typically, provision of a RFID will include the manner the RFID is to beoutputted, i.e. signaled. As alluded to earlier, the manner it is to besignaled is dependent on the format/protocol employed by the intendedRFID reader 120. For examples, for a garage door key, theformat/protocol employed by RFID reader 120 of the garage opener system,and for an affinity program member identifier, the format/protocolemployed by RFID reader 120 of the point-of-sale system of the entityoffering the affinity program.

Alternatively, a default signaling format/protocol, such as an industrystandard, the most popular proprietary format/protocol, or a selectedproprietary format/protocol may be assumed instead, when one is notprovided.

During operation, in response to a user instruction, typically after theuser has selected the RFID to be outputted from a number of RFIDs storedin device 102, block 203, device 102 outputs the selected RFID asinstructed, emulating an active RFID transponder, block 204.

For the embodiment, one RFID, e.g. an access key/identifier (such as anemployee number), may also be selected/designated as a default RFID, theoutput of which may be emulated in a passive manner. That is, theselected/designated default RFID will be outputted automatically,whenever device 102 is within the proximal presence, or morespecifically, the operational space, of an intended RFID reader 120.

Accordingly, device 102 monitors for probing signals of an intended RFIDreader 120 (or a type of RFID readers 120), to determine whether device102 is within the operational space of such a RFID reader 120, block205. On so determining, device 102 outputs the designated RFIDautomatically, emulating a passive RFID transponder, block 206.

A Hardware/Software Implementation

FIG. 3 illustrates the relevant elements of device 102, in accordancewith one embodiment. As illustrated, for the embodiment, device 102includes processor 302, memory 304, persistent store 306, transceiver308, and a number of other components 310, coupled to each other via bus312.

Persistent store 306 and memory 304 are employed to store permanent andworking copies of a software implementation of the operating logic 320of device 102, including the supplemental RFID feature 322. In variousembodiments, persistent store 306 may be an EEPROM (or like kindvariants, such as a Flash Memory, a Memory Stick), a magnetic or opticaldisk drive, a CDROM, a DVD drive and so forth. Memory 304 may be anySDRAM, DDRAM or other high speed volatile as way as non-volatile storagedevices known in the art.

Processor 302 is employed to execute operating logic 320, including RFIDfeature 322. As will be readily apparent from the description to follow,operating logic 320 may be implemented in any one of a number ofsuitable system programming languages, including but not limited to highlevel languages that may be compiled into executable instructionssupported by processor 302. Processor 302 may be any one of a number ofprocessors designed or to be designed for mobile devices.

Except for transceivers 308, RFID feature 322 and the manner the variouselements of FIG. 3 are used to practice the present invention, the otherillustrated elements are known in the art, and accordingly will not befurther described. One embodiment of transceiver 308 will be describedreferencing FIG. 4, and one embodiment of RFID feature 322 will bedescribed, referencing FIG. 6-7.

As described earlier, processor 302, memory 304, persistent store 306and bus 312 may be shared elements of device 102, also employed toimplement the primary communication function of device 102. However, inalternate embodiments, dedicated elements may be employed for some orall of these elements instead.

In one embodiment, device 102 is a wireless mobile telephone, anexploded view of which is illustrated in FIG. 5 a. Wireless mobile phone500, in addition to the earlier described elements, also includesdisplay 506, control buttons 504, keypad 502, antenna 508, body 512 andcover 514. Body 512 is substantially rectangular in shape. Further, body512 is palm-sized or smaller.

For the embodiment, cover 514 includes embedded electronic componentshaving instructions, data, and/or locations to obtain such instructionsand/or data to personalize, customize and/or enhance phone 500. Phone500 includes complementary electronic component interface 516 in supportof such personalization, customization and/or enhancement.

Cover 514 may form a part of housing 512, i.e. a required element tocomplete phone 500, or it may be an accessory to be adorned by phone500, i.e. not a required element to complete phone 500.

In another embodiment, device 102 is a PDA, an exploded view of which,is illustrated in FIG. 5 b. PDA 502, in addition to the earlierdescribed elements, also includes display 524, control buttons 522,antenna 526, body 532, and cover 534. Body 530 is also substantiallyrectangular in shape, as well as palm-sized or smaller.

Similarly, for the embodiment, cover 534 includes embedded electroniccomponents having instructions, data, and/or locations to obtain suchinstructions and/or data to personalize, customize and/or enhance PDA520. PDA 520 includes complementary electronic component interface 536in support of such personalization, customization and/or enhancement.

Cover 534 may form a part of housing 532, i.e. a required element tocomplete PDA 520, or it may be an accessory to be adorned by PDA 520,i.e. not a required element to complete PDA 520.

FIG. 5 c-5 d illustrate yet another embodiment of device 102, anotherwireless mobile telephone, an exploded view of which is illustrated.Wireless mobile phone 540 is similarly constituted as the earlierdescribed embodiments, including body 542 and cover 544. However, body542 has a substantially boomerang or banana shape. Body 542 is alsotypically palm-sized or smaller.

For the embodiment, cover 544 also includes embedded electroniccomponents having instructions, data, and/or locations to obtain suchinstructions and/or data to personalize, customize and/or enhance phone540. Phone 540 includes complementary electronic component interface(not shown) in support of such personalization, customization and/orenhancement.

Cover 544 may form a part of housing 542, i.e. a required element tocomplete phone 540, or it may be an accessory to be adorned by phone540, i.e. not a required element to complete phone 540.

In all or selected one(s) of these embodiments, some or all elements 106in support of the RFID feature of the present invention may be providedthrough embedded electronic components of the housing/accessory covers.

Smart covers are the subject matters of subject matter of co-pendingU.S. application Ser. No. 10/087,098, filed Mar. 1, 2002, entitled“Personalizing Electronic Devices and Smart Covering”, and U.S.application Ser. No. 10/428,815, filed May 2, 2003, entitled“Personalization of Mobile Electronic Devices and Smart AccessoryCover”, which specifications are hereby fully incorporated by reference.

While all three embodiments of FIG. 5 a-5 d have been illustrated withsmart covers and external antennas. In alternate embodiments, thepresent invention may be practiced without smart covers and/or externalantennas. The present invention may be practiced with conventionalcovers, without embedded intelligence and/or internal antennas.

Transceiver

FIG. 4 illustrates transceiver 308 of FIG. 3 in further details, inaccordance with one embodiment. As illustrated, for the embodiment,transceiver 308 includes a joint radio frequency (RF) transmit/receive(TX/RX) section 402, separate signal processing sections 408 and 410 fora range of higher frequencies and a range of low frequencies, switch 404and splitter 406. The elements are coupled to each other as shown.

For the embodiment, joint RF TX/RX 402 includes in particular, switch420, filters 412 and 422, low noise amplifier 424 and power amplifier414, coupled to one another as shown. Switch 420 is employed to switchbetween transmitting and receiving RF signals. Filters 412 and 422, lownoise amplifier 424 and power amplifier 414 are employed to performtheir conventional filtering and amplification functions on the transmitand receive signals.

For transmission, switch 404 switches between the output of highfrequency signal processing 410 and the output of low frequency signalprocessing 408 to the transmit path of Joint RF TX/RX 402.

For reception, splitter 406 splits the output of the receive path ofJoint RF TX/RX 402 and provides the receive signal to high frequencysignal processing 410 as well as low frequency signal processing 408.

For the embodiment, high frequency signal processing 410 performs up anddown conversions of the transmit and receive signals of the primarycommunication function of mobile communication device 102, e.g. thetransmit and receive signals of a voice call. In one embodiment, thetransmit and receive signals are transmitted and received in the GHzranges.

Low frequency signal processing 408, on the other hand, performs up anddown conversions of the transmit and receive signals of the RFIDfeature, e.g. the output signal of a RFID to emulate either an active ora passive transponder, and the received probing signal of a RFID reader.In one embodiment, the transmit and receive signals are transmitted andreceived in the MHz ranges.

Up and down conversions, filtering, amplifications, and so forth, in andof themselves, except for the manner they are being used to provideRFIDs using a mobile communication device, are known in the art,accordingly, will not be further described.

RFID Feature

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate selected portions of an example end user interface,and the operational flow of the relevant aspects of RFID feature 322respectively, in accordance with one embodiment. FIG. 6 comprises FIG. 6a-6 h.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 a, for the embodiment, the user interfaceincludes screen 602 having selectable text display “RFID” 604, withwhich a user may interact to launch the RFID function (by selecting textdisplay 604, using e.g. control keys 504).

As illustrated in FIG. 6 b, for the embodiment, the user interfacefurther includes screen 612 enumerating a list of RFIDs 614 stored indevice 102. List 614 may be displayed for example, among othersituations, in response to a user's selection of text display 604 ofscreen 602. A user may select one of the RFIDs, and instruct device 102to output the selected RFID in a form of an appropriate radio frequencysignal, emulating provision of the RFID by an active RFID transponder,using e.g. a “send/call” key of device 102.

Screen 612 also includes selectable “option” button 616, with which auser may interact to display a list of RFID management options, usinge.g. control keys 504.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 c, for the embodiment, the user interfacefurther includes screen 622 enumerating a list of RFID managementoptions 624, such as “add”, “edit” or “delete” RFIDs. List 624 may bedisplayed for example, among other situations, in response to a user'sselection of “option” 616 of screen 612.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 d, for the embodiment, the user interfacefurther includes screen 632 displaying field 634, through which a usermay enter/edit a RFID name. Field 634 may be displayed for example,among other situations, in response to a user's selection of “add” or“edit” of screen 622.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 e, for the embodiment, the user interfacefurther includes screen 642 displaying field 644, through which a usermay enter/edit a RFID. Field 644 may be displayed for example, amongother situations, in response to a user indicating completion of entryof a RFID name using screen 632.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 f, for the embodiment, the user interfacefurther includes screen 652 displaying a list of RFID types 654, withwhich a user may select and associate with a RFID. List 654 may bedisplayed for example, among other situations, in response to a userindicating completion of entry of a RFID, using screen 642, therebyallowing the user to associate a RFID reader type with the entered RFID.

Each RFID reader type is assumed to have a deterministic RFID signalingformat/protocol. Accordingly, by selecting the RFID reader type, theuser is effectively selecting or specifying the RFID signalingformat/protocol. In alternate embodiment, a user may be requested toselect the RFID signaling format/protocol explicitly, as opposed toimplicitly, in the illustrated embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 g, for the embodiment, the user interfacefurther includes screen 662 displaying a request 664 to confirm whethera RFID is to be selected or designated as the default RFID to be usedfor emulation of passive transponders. Request 664 may be displayed forexample, among other situations, in response to a user selecting a RFIDreader type, using screen 652, thereby allowing the user to (implicitly)associate a RFID format/protocol with the entered RFID.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 f, for the embodiment, the user interfacefurther includes screen 672 displaying a RFID and its details, includingbut not limited the intended RFID reader type, whether to be designatedas the default RFID for use in emulating passive RFID. Request 674 maybe displayed for example, among other situations, in response to a userselecting the “edit” option, using screen 622, or on completion ofdesignating a RFID as the default RFID for emulating passivetransponders, using screen 662

Operationally, as illustrated in FIG. 7, upon receipt of a request tolaunch the RFID function, support logic of the RFID feature 322 isloaded and given execution control, block 702. Thereafter, support logic322 waits for user inputs, block 704.

On receipt of a user input/request, support logic 322 determines thenature of the input/request, block 706, taking into the context, i.e.the portion of the user interface being displayed, and with which theuser just interacted in submitting the input/request.

As illustrated, on determining that the user has requested a currentdisplay list to be scrolled (e.g. RFID list 614 of screen 612), supportlogic 322 causes the list to be scrolled as requested. Thereafter,support logic 322 returns to block 708 and waits for further input.

Similarly, on determining that the user has requested a selected RFID tobe sent (emulating output of the RFID by an active RFID transponder),support logic 322 causes the RFID to be outputted in a form of anappropriate RF signal (in accordance with the associated intended RFIDreader type). Thereafter, support logic 322 again returns to block 710and waits for further input.

On determining that the user has requested a list of options to bedisplayed (e.g. selection of “option” 616 of screen 612), support logic322 causes the list of options to be displayed as requested. Thereafter,support logic 322 returns to block 712 and waits for further input.

On determining that the user has requested to add a RFID (e.g. selectionof “Add” of screen 622), support logic 322 facilitates addition of aRFID (e.g. successively guiding user entry of a RFID using screens632-662. Thereafter, support logic 322 returns to block 714 and waitsfor further input.

These are a few examples of user inputs/requests support logic 322 maysupport. The present invention contemplates other user inputs/requestsmay also be supported, and handled accordingly, block 716.

CONCLUSION AND EPILOGUE

Thus, it can be seen from the above descriptions, a novel emulated RFIDinput method, using a mobile communication device, has been described.The present invention advantageously improved the ease of use for a userto provide data captured in a device to another system, especially fordata captured in e.g. a mobile device.

While the present invention has been described in terms of the earlierdescribed embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that theinvention is not limited to the embodiments described. The presentinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to beregarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the presentinvention.

1. A method for providing a radio frequency identification (RFID) from aswitchable mobile communications device capable of RFID communicationand voice call communication, the method comprising: receiving, by themobile communications device, an instruction to transmit first RFIDtransponder data; switching a transceiver of the mobile communicationsdevice from a first state to a second state upon reception of saidinstruction, the transceiver configured to output voice call signals inthe first state and to output RFID transponder signals in the secondstate; and outputting the first RFID transponder data, by thetransceiver as an RFID transponder signal.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said transceiver comprises a first signal processing unitconfigured to process voice call signals and a second signal processingunit configured to process RFID signals, said switching comprisingcoupling the second signal processing unit to a transmission path of thetransceiver.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said first RFIDtransponder data comprises a selected one of a security key and anidentifier.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method furthercomprises facilitating the user in selecting the first RFID transponderdata from a plurality of RFID transponder data using the mobilecommunication device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodcomprises facilitating provision of the first RFID transponder data tothe mobile communication device by facilitating provision of at least asignaling attribute associated with the outputting of the RFIDtransponder data in the format compatible with said RFID reader.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: monitoring forproximal presence of the RFID reader by the mobile communication device;and on detection of the RFID reader by the mobile communication device,outputting, by the transceiver, second RFID transponder data as a secondradio frequency signal, the outputting emulating output of the secondRFID transponder data by an RFID transponder of a passive type.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein said monitoring comprises sensing for aprobing radio frequency signal of the RFID reader by the mobilecommunication device.
 8. A method for providing a radio frequencyidentifier (RFID), from a switchable mobile communications devicecapable of RFID communication and voice call communication, the methodcomprising: monitoring, by the mobile communication device, for proximalpresence of a proximal RFID reader, the mobile communication devicehaving a transceiver configured, to output, in a first state, RFIDtransponder data to be received by the proximal RFID reader upon themobile communications device determining proximal presence of one ormore RFID readers, the transceiver being also configured to output, in asecond state, a voice call signal for transmission at least in part overa wireless network; and on detection of the RFID reader, outputting, bythe transceiver, the RFID transponder data as a radio frequency signal.9. The method of claim 8, wherein said monitoring comprises sensing forone or more probing radio frequency signals of the one or more RFIDreaders by the mobile communication device.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein said data comprises a security key.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the method further comprises facilitating provision of the RFIDtransponder data to the mobile communication device by facilitatingprovision of at least a signaling attribute associated with theoutputting of the RFID transponder data in the format employed by theRFID reader.
 12. A switchable mobile communication device capable ofRFID communication and voice call communication, the mobilecommunication device comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit aradio frequency signal, the transmitter comprising a first signalprocessing section and a second signal processing section, the firstsignal processing section configured to output voice call signals in afirst radio frequency range and the second signal processing sectionconfigured to output RFID transponder signals in a second radiofrequency range; a storage medium to store a first data and instructionsto: monitor for proximal presence of one or more RFID readers; andoperate the transmitter to switch between the first and second signalprocessing sections to selectively: (a) output first RFID transponderdata as said RFID transponder signals in response to detection by themobile communication device of the proximal RFID reader, and (b) outputa voice call signal for transmission over a wireless network; and aprocessor coupled to the transmitter and the storage to execute theinstructions.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said first RFIDtransponder data comprises a selected one of a security key and anidentifier.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein said first RFIDtransponder data comprises a security key, and said security keycomprises a door key.
 15. The device of claim 12, wherein theinstructions are further designed to facilitate the user in selectingthe first RFID transponder data from a plurality of RFID transponderdata, and instructing said output.
 16. The device of claim 12, whereinthe instructions are further designed to facilitate provision of thefirst RFID transponder data to the mobile communication device.
 17. Thedevice of claim 16, wherein the instructions are further designed toinclude, with said facilitating, provisioning of at least a signalingattribute associated with the outputting of the first RFID transponderdata in the form of a radio frequency signal.
 18. The device of claim12, wherein the instructions are further designed to sense for a probingradio frequency signal of the RFID reader.
 19. The device of claim 12,wherein the mobile communication device is a selected one of a wirelessmobile phone and a personal digital assistant equipped withcommunication capability.